Capote: A Biography
by Gerald Clarke
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Book Summary Information
Author: Gerald ClarkeEdition: Paperback
Audio: English (Original Language); English (Unknown); English (Published)
Published: 2005-10-01
ISBN: 0786716614
Number of pages: 636
Publisher: Da Capo Press
Product features:
- ISBN13: 9780786716616
- Condition: NEW
- Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.
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Book Reviews of Capote: A Biography
Book Review: Exceptional
Summary: 5 Stars
There are several books about Capote out there. George Plimpton's 'Truman Capote' is an example which presents the thoughts of those who actually knew him. There are others which purport to present the facts as drawn from archive material and interviews with the man himself (and as we know, Truman's own version of his life could be somewhat unreliable) . The question is, wherein lies the truth about T.C.?
Well, all biographies must suffer from a little guesswork and, in the case of Mr Plimpton's fine tome, perhaps a little added colour at times. However, this one by Gerald Clarke entitled simply 'Capote - A Biography' is a remarkable achievement. It's closer to being a proper document of Truman's life than any other book I've read. It soon becomes clear that a vast amount of research has gone into it's making along with the use of a wealth of interviews. What emerges is a wonderfully balanced, well written biography that should be a must for all scholars of Mr Capote. And Truman's life is well worth reading about. Whether painful or happy, trashy or profound his was a busy life filled with interest and variety.
At no point does it attempt to sensationalise Truman's life which was fascinating enough not to require embellishment. And at a whopping 550 pages (not including source notes etc) it's a surprisingly easy read. Mr Clarke's writing style flows beautifully guiding the reader effortlessly and in a thoroughly entertaining manner. He's not attempted to impose himself upon the text, there's no attempt at ego here.
My only criticism is about the way the book has been marketed. My edition states that it is 'now a major motion picture starring Philip Seymour Hoffman' which it certainly is not. The fault of this rather misleading claim can be easily placed at the feet of the publishers and their desire to sell more copies. It's entirely likely that the makers of the film entitled 'Capote' used this book as part of their reference but that film covered only a small part of T.C.'s life whilst this work attempts to span all from birth (actually from a little bit before birth) to death.
If you are a student of Capote or merely someone who likes his writing this is a great book that is as compulsive as a 'holiday read'. You could take this to the beach and get lost in it all day and actually end up learning something.
Summary of Capote: A Biography
Based on hundreds of hours of interviews with the man who authored In Cold Blood and Breakfast at Tiffany's, as well as with nearly everyone who knew him, this absorbing, definitive biography follows Truman Capote from his eccentric childhood in Alabama to the heights of New York society. Featuring many photographs, this book also candidly recounts a gifted and celebrated writer's descent into the life of alcohol and drugs that would ultimately consume his bulldog spirit and staggering talent-but not before he'd hobnob with the likes of Grace Paley and Lee Radziwill, feud outrageously with Gore Vidal and Jacqueline Susann, and stage at New York's Plaza Hotel the sensational Black and White Ball.Authors Books
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